Portugal looking to redeem itself after poor showing in '02

Hooligans always are a threat at the World Cup. Group D could provide trouble at this year's tournament, though the problems are not expected to come from the usual thugs and bullies.

Instead, the weakest group at the tournament in Germany could create the most trouble when Portugal faces former colony Angola, and Iran faces just about anyone.

Mexico is the seeded team in the group.

Iran is making its third World Cup appearance. With Tehran's nuclear ambitions and its president's verbal attacks on Israel, the off-field issues have led to calls for Iran to be banned from playing.

Angola gained its independence from Portugal in 1975, and has played its former colonial power only twice, losing 6-0 in 1989 and 5-1 in 2001.

At the last match in Lisbon, four Angolan players were sent off for brutal tackles and dissent, and the game was abandoned with 20 minutes to play.

Portugal, unbeaten in its World Cup qualifying campaign, will be more worried about redeeming itself.

At the World Cup four years ago, Portugal lost to South Korea and the United States and was eliminated in the first round. The Portuguese team rebounded two years later by reaching the final at the European Championship, and has another strong squad heading to Germany.

Not to mention a Brazilian coach, Luiz Felipe Scolari, who is trying to win the World Cup with his second team.

"I have a shot at that. Let's see how things go and whether I deserve it," said Scolari, who led Brazil to its fifth title in South Korea and Japan.

Still, Scolari is wary of being overly optimistic.

"There will be more hurdles and difficulties (in Germany) than at Euro 2004. We have to keep our feet firmly on the ground, especially the players," Scolari said.

Luis Figo, the team's top player, said Portugal always has had problems when in an "apparently easy group." But he seems ready to make amends.

"Smart people don't make the same mistake twice," the Inter Milan midfielder said.

Besides Figo, Portugal also can rely on Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo, FC Barcelona's Brazilian-born midfielder Deco, dangerous scorer Pauleta of Paris Saint-Germain and a backline that boasts Chelsea defenders Ricardo Carvalho and Paulo Ferreira.

But when African teams meet their former colonial powers, strange things can happen. Just ask France. At the last World Cup, Senegal upset the defending champions in the opening match.